Socio and economic implications of privatizing water

For many years, Basotho both in the rural and urban areas have voiced their complaint about the lack of water accessibility and sewage collection services around the country.

The high tariffs for water provision have also been a problem especially to the poor. Many people have to walk very long distances to be able to find water.

In the urban areas especially in Maseru the capital town of Lesotho, Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is responsible for the supply of water. WASA serves over 300 000 people centers with potable water. The Authority provides safe drinking water to approximately 47, 000 post paid connections, plus approximately 400 public standpipes. There are also more than 2 500 domestic prepaid connections, and more than 2 200 communal pre-paid card holders.

WASA has over 5 000 customers who are connected to the sewerage system. Over and above the said connections, the Authority operates a tanker service which serves more than 8 000 registered customers in all the urban centers of the country. The emptying service is provided to households and businesses in areas that have a reticulated water supply but do not have access to piped sewerage. The tankers are used to empty septic and conservancy tanks including VIP toilets.

On average, water production for Maseru is 40 mega liters per day. Maseru residential and industrial customers obtain t water mainly from the Caledon (Mohokare) river, which is supplied by Maqakalika dam.

After the Natural Resource Portfolio Committee tabulated in parliament a Water and Sewerage Company Bill 2010 whose purpose is to establish water and sewerage Company to provide for vesting of the assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of the water and sewerage Authority in the company and to provide for the transfer of employees, many concerns arise. The main concern being: learning from experience, private companies aim at making profits rather that answering the needs of the community. Does this mean that instead of improving water accessibility or even giving it free to the community, tariffs should be expected to rise? What is the real purpose of the transformation, will it benefit the public or make matters worse for them.